Saumur Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Saumur
Photo by Martina Münnich
Photo by Steve Parker
Photo by Steve Parker
Photo by Our Global Adventure

The pristine Loire River is central to the town’s charm and elegance while the background is dominated by the imposing shape of a truly breathtaking château.

Walk beside the calm river as it runs peacefully through Saumur. Stop at the market to purchase freshly picked fruits and vegetables. Get an inside look into one of the world’s most renowned equestrian academies and explore the splendid château that overlooks the town from its hillside setting.

With all the pretty arched bridges and boutique clothing stores that make up Saumur, it is hard to escape the immense presence of the Château de Saumur. It stands above the town with four pointed towers encasing a graying brick body of sharp spires and curved portals. Wander through the grand main entrance into a museum of equestrian artifacts that includes stirrups, saddles and horseshoes that are hundreds of years old.

Sit on the grassy slope outside and gaze along the winding river before you return to the bustling streets. Have a coffee or crêpe at one of the nearby cafés before making a 10-minute drive west to the École Nationale d’Équitation. This illustrious horse-riding school has been in operation for centuries, training Olympic athletes as well as the prestigious Cadre Noir. Book in advance for a guided tour of the halls and stables or come for one of the spectacular presentations put on twice a month.

Make time on your way back to town to see more than 800 tanks and war vehicles at the Musée des Blindés. Find a seat at one of the scenic riverside restaurants for a meal of excellent French food.

Saumur is located in the Loire Valley in central France. Select from many accommodation choices in luxurious hotels and simple guesthouses. At the beginning of August, Les Grandes Tablées is a festival of local produce with plenty of creamy goat cheese and refillable glasses of wine.

Discover delicious food and one of the country’s most impressive châteaus in Saumur-Saumur.

Where to stay in Saumur

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Bagneux

Bagneux is well liked for its restaurants. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Saumur area, you might plan a trip to Musée des Blindés or Bouvet Ladubay.

Bagneux
Campanile Saumur
Campanile Saumur
3 out of 5
Rond-Point De Bournan Bagneux, Saumur, Maine-et-Loire
The price is £62 per night from 16 Jul to 17 Jul
£62
16 Jul - 17 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Saumur. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Wine Cellar Louis de Grenelle ...
7.6/10 Good! (460 reviews)
"Motel 3.5 km out of town. Big hill if bike riding. My room was on the carpark. All fine. Very clean. Won’t win any design awards but was a traditional nicely run motel. Nice staff."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2024

Campanile Saumur
Hotel Kyriad Saumur
Hotel Kyriad Saumur
3 out of 5
23 Rue Daille, Saumur, Maine-et-Loire
The price is £78 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
£78
17 Jul - 18 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Saumur. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Maison de Vin and Cavalry Museum are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (250 reviews)
"In the centre of town, near restaurants. Nice renovation And bright. Interesting lay out. The only thing was the AC opposite the bed was hard to control the air flow. No matter was we tried."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2025

Hotel Kyriad Saumur
Best Western Adagio
Best Western Adagio
3 out of 5
94 Avenue Du General De Gaulle, Saumur, Maine-et-Loire
The price is £99 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
£99
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Saumur. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Maison de Vin and Cavalry Museum ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (265 reviews)
"We had great service, and a good breakfast."

Reviewed on 20 Apr 2025

Best Western Adagio
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Terres de France - Le Domaine du Golf
Terres de France - Le Domaine du Golf
3 out of 5
Route des Mortins, Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent, Saumur, Maine-et-Loire
Stay at this 3-star golf aparthotel in Saumur. Enjoy free parking, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Musée du Champignon and Ackerman are ...
7.8/10 Good! (108 reviews)
"On the photos the hotel with its swimming pool looked good to me but the pool was half empty and closed moreover I found my room not very clean especially the bathroom."

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2025

Terres de France - Le Domaine du Golf
Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences Saumur
Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences Saumur
11 Rue des Carabiniers de Monsieur, Saumur
Stay at this aparthotel in Saumur. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Cavalry Museum and Maison de Vin are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Nous avons séjourné une nuit dans cette hôtel avec nos deux enfants, les chambres sont tres bien, c'est propre et calme. Accueil très agréable. Petit plus possible de stationner notre véhicule au sous sol."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences Saumur
Large apartment between Loire and Château
Large apartment between Loire and Château
Saumur, Pays De La Loire
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Saumur. Enjoy a water park, breakfast (surcharge) and a garden. Popular attractions Château de Saumur and Notre-Dame ...
Charming appartement in the centre of Saumur
"Ideal location in the centre of Saumur close to shops and restaurants, just under the Saumur castle. The hosts provide a breakfast option which is a nice addition. The appartment is well-furnished and comfortable."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2024

Large apartment between Loire and Château
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Saumur

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5
5 - Excellent 63%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Magnificent atmosphere in the town when thousands of people ate together outdoors at a food festival/ celebration (Grandes Tablees). We paid 5euros for a wine glass and sampled the local wines while we mixed with the locals.

5/5 - Excellent

Craig

Travelled to Saumur for the tank museum- totally recommend.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Wish we could have stayed longer and seen more of the area.